Earlier this month, Ottawa Senators’ owner Eugene Melnyk underwent a successful liver transplant from a living donor less than a week after his team made a public plea.
Many argue it is Melnyk’s status that allowed him access to treatment with such speed, and with so many options other patients do not have. More than 500 potential donors volunteered, upon the plea made on 55-year-old Melnyk’s behalf. Doctors with the University Health Network’s multi-organ transplant team selected one from 12 potential candidates. While Melnyk’s procedure was successful, it also created opportunities for other patients who were in desperate need of transplant. More than 20 of those not selected to donate to Melnyk have said they would continue in the process to donate to others in need. While anonymous live donors, or LADs, are eligible to donate organs in Ontario, this is not the case in Alberta.
Just this week, local news reported the Alberta Health Services (AHS) stopped an appeal for an anonymous donor on behalf of eight-month-old Naomi Carlow.
AHS spokesperson Kerry Williamson said, “We work with family members, relatives and people close to the family. The family is reaching out, and that’s understandable, but I don’t think they understand we are not accepting anonymous donations.”
In the world of transplantation, psychological, ethical, and practical issues, donations are reviewed whenever a new category of donors is introduced. While anonymous live donations were considered new about 10 years ago, there are still some factors that leave many doctors unsure. In the case of anonymous donations, many doctors’ main concern is the psychological well being of the donor.
Given that there are no physical benefits for any living donor, a major reason for reluctance to endorse living anonymous donation is that the psychological benefits for LADs have not been convincingly demonstrated. This is especially true because LADs face a less favourable risk/benefit ratio than living related donors, according to the American Journal of Transplantation.
While most live donors are relatives or close friends of the recipient, this can also be difficult, as there is so much pressure on the donor that the person cannot make the decision properly. Recipients’ chances of undergoing a successful procedure are mainly dependent on the severity of their case, timing and finding the right match at the right time. On average, 106 people are added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list each day, while only 68 receive transplants. While the number of people needing organs continues to increase, the number of donors seems to stay at a constant.
Anonymous donations are not currently a possibility in Alberta, but it is very easy to become a part of the organ donation registry. Often times, eligible donor organs are not used because people do not discuss the issue with their loved ones. By joining the organ registry it not only benefits the recipients but gives loved ones something to hold on to, because they can witness the recipients live long, fulfilling lives. If you are not already registered, you can do so at: www.myhealth.alberta.ca
Jennifer Hamilton is a local student and aspiring writer.
